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“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 1:18
Come, Follow Me · Old Testament 2026 · Week 36
“Let Every Thing That Hath Breath Praise the Lord”
August 31 – September 6, 2026Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–15019 chapters · 441 verses
The book of Psalms ends in a crescendo of praise. Along the way: a lonely sufferer like “a sparrow alone upon the house top,” the tender promise that God removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west,” a 176-verse love song to God's word, exiles weeping by the rivers of Babylon, and the wonder of “Thou hast searched me, and known me.” Then the last five psalms all begin and end with “Praise ye the LORD.”
Psalm
Also read in
The text shown is the King James Version, the Church's preferred English Bible for classes and meetings. The General Handbook lists the ESV and NRSV as helpful translations for ages 14 and up. They are copyrighted, so they open on their publishers' sites. Highlighted verses have a study note with links to compare that verse.
Study guide
The final section of Psalms moves from lament to a chorus of praise. These notes help you read Psalm 119 and hear the Psalms' closing song.
How to read this week
Read Psalm 119 in sections. Each of its 22 eight-verse sections starts with the next Hebrew letter. Read a few sections a day and look for the many words for God's law: word, statutes, testimonies, precepts.
Use Psalm 103 as a prayer of gratitude. It lists what the Lord does: forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies. Try listing your own.
Notice Psalm 110 in the New Testament. Jesus and the Apostles used it to show who He is. It also connects to Melchizedek and Alma 13.
Let Psalm 139 speak personally. God knows you completely and is everywhere you could go. That can be both humbling and comforting.
Read Psalms 146–150 aloud. The book closes with nothing but praise. Each psalm begins and ends with “Praise ye the LORD.”
The closing movement of the Psalms
Ps 102–103 — From affliction to blessing the Lord
Ps 110, 116–118 — The Messiah, gratitude and the Passover songs
Ps 119 — Love for God's word
Ps 127–128 — The Lord builds the home
Ps 135–139 — His mercy endures; He knows me
Ps 146–150 — Hallelujah: the final chorus of praise
Images and ideas to recognize
Passage
Image
What it means
Ps 102:7
Sparrow on the housetop
Loneliness in affliction.
Ps 103:12
East from west
Sins removed completely.
Ps 110:4
Order of Melchizedek
Christ's eternal priesthood.
Ps 119:105
Lamp and light
God's word guiding each step.
Ps 127:1
The Lord building the house
Homes built on the Lord.
Ps 137:2
Harps on the willows
Grief that silences song.
Restoration connections
Alma 13:14–19 — Melchizedek as a type of Christ (Ps 110:4).
D&C 84:33–38 — The oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
1 Nephi 8:19–24 — The rod of iron, God's word, leading to the tree of life.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World — Children are an heritage of the Lord (Ps 127:3).
Questions for the week
Which verse of Psalm 103 describes something the Lord has done for you?
How has the word of God been a lamp to your feet recently (119:105)?
What does it mean to you that the Lord has “searched [you], and known [you]” (139:1)?
How can you “sing the Lord's song” when you feel far from home (137:4)?
What can you praise the Lord for today (150:6)?
Conference talks & Church resources
Talks the Church's lesson points to this week, plus other Church resources that teach from these chapters.
Scholarly papers
Faithful scholarship from BYU and related publishers, tagged with the chapters each one discusses.
Podcasts & video
Come, Follow Me shows and episodes covering this week's reading.